Brand New: The Devil and God Are Raging Inside MeThe Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me (2006)Universal Music Group

Reviewer Rating: 4

User Rating:

Contributed by: colincolin(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on November 21st 2006When Brand New's sophomore effort Deja Entendu came out, there was an incredible amount of hype behind it. I really loved it at first, simply because the band had taken an all-new direction and really created this strange amalgam of musical styles. However, when it comes down to it, I found quite a .

When Brand New's sophomore effort Deja Entendu came out, there was an incredible amount of hype behind it. I really loved it at first, simply because the band had taken an all-new direction and really created this strange amalgam of musical styles. However, when it comes down to it, I found quite a few songs on the record to be skippable, while all the good ones were really, really great. I was left wondering, "Well, that was good; it'll be interesting to see how they can take this total transformation and manage to try and top it."

And so I waited with what seemed like the rest of the world for this new record. And we waited. And then some demos leaked and people screamed (typed) at the top of their lungs (fingers)...that they weren't really sure how they felt about them yet. But it was something new from the band (who seems to get bigger for every second they ignore their fans). And for months there were rumors about album titles, lyrics from bootleg videos on YouTube, and what Jesse Lacey had eaten for breakfast that morning.

So now we have the finished product of The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me. And it's a strange album to listen to, because most of the time it is 100% amazing. It's fantastic and would be an instant classic...if it weren't for the few times it turns around and falls completely on it's face.

First, let's start off with the inevitable argument of "what demos should and should not have been on the album." Personally, I was hoping to see the first one on here. However, this is the exact reason why it's a bad thing that demos leak; from here on out, people will argue what they wish the album would have been instead of what it is, and creates really wasted arguments on subject matter that has no relevance anymore. I'm sure if the band likes the unused songs, we'll hear them sometime.

The music that did make the cut takes equal influence from the successful `90s alt-rock/grunge formula, as well as the post-hardcore disregard for standard verse-chorus-verse structure, and the most minute but brilliant of production decisions. This is a record that is even better when listened to on headphones. The band has written some great hooks here, but adding a violin to the introduction of the standout, "You Won't Know," gives this riff a sense of haunting urgency. I'd say the strongest point of the record is guitarist Vin Accardi's ability to take these total pop riffs and transform them to incredibly depressing echoes of faults, in the same way Jesse Lacey has taken his absolutely magnificent voice and uses it to do nothing but depress you.

And he does it well. Lacey's voice has never been this amazing. And he's done pulling punches, both on his fans (from "Sowing Season (Yeah):" "I am not your friend / I am just a man who knows how it feels / I am not your friend / I'm not your lover / I'm not your family") and himself (from "Limousine:" "In the choir / I saw our sad messiah / He was bored and tired of my laments / He said, 'I would die for you one time, but never again'"). The fact that Lacey can make someone like me, an incredibly loud-mouthed agnostic who hates organized religion, feel not only drawn to but moved by a song like "Jesus Christ," really says something about how far he's come as a writer since the days when he wanted to stay 18 forever.

Musically, this album is pretty much spot-on. The drums provide such an amazing backbone, rolling through songs like "Archers" and providing great backdrops for the softer parts of songs, like "Degausser." The guitars are, again, spectacular. The production choice to really drive them home was a good one, and even on the instrumental "Welcome to Bangkok" they hold their own against the lack of vocals.

However, this record is not perfect, and it was so close. The second instrumental, "Untitled," is completely unnecessary and -- here's where I'll say it -- should have been replaced by another of the demos (the B-side "Coca-Cola" would be an appropriate one). The chorus/ending on "Handcuffs" is pretty poor, lyrics-wise, "Not the Sun" is not that great (save for the ace breakdown), and "Limousine" wastes too much time at the end of the song with ambient guitar. These are faults varying from nitpicky to outrageous, but they really detract from the album, simply because the rest is so, so good. And, honestly, I don't think these are that nitpicky; remember, it's been over three years since Deja Entendu. Granted, the band tours and takes time off and whatnot, but there was certainly time in there to correct the mistakes that were made.

The bad parts of this record are good, but the great parts of this record are mind-blowingly outstanding. The first seven tracks are stellar, from the mid-tempo ("Millstone") to the penitent ("Jesus Christ") and the searing self-deprecation ("Degausser"). I personally think "Luca" is going to remain my favorite from this record, as no song has had me outwardly rocking out in a long time, and the frenetic ending is absolutely perfect. About 80% of this record is the best music Brand New has ever written, and makes me really excited for what they'll do next. I just hope it doesn't take three years to get there.

Good review, but I disagree with what most people would agree with. I think that [Untitled] is as much a feature as most songs on the album (Jesus Christ surpassing everything anyone has ever done......ever). It's emotional, easy to lose yourself in, and you say it should've been replaced by a 'Fight off your Demons' demo, but the truth is if [Untitled] weren't on the album it would've just been taken out and left, rather than replaced. It serves as an instrumental interlude and shouldn't really be viewed as a song in itself. Also, I think the idea that Limousine drags for too long and that the lyrics in Handcuffs are poor is just down to opinion, which is fine, but you can't really say it lets the album down. I wouldn't change a thing about this record, and seriously freaking wish I wrote it.

Album is great, not really in the same level as Jawbreaker and other great lyricists but still very deep and meaningfull. Plus the little girl on the album cover made me think of the violent femmes, I think I need to go add it up, add it up!!!

I like a couple songs on this album like "Sowing Season", "Archers", "Not the Sun", "Jesus Christ", etc. but it is nowhere near as good as Deja Entendu. The album is ridden with slow paced acoustic to electric songs zzzz. Hopefully their next record will be a bit more uptempo, but overall a good album.

This is an amazing album from beginning to end. A great natural progression from Deja Entendu. From start to finish between the ambient vocals/guitars and nice layering of heaviness at the right times, Brand New really delivers here

This album really is amazing.
The only thing Id like to add is that the song "Jesus Christ" is actualy not religious at all, you just need to look deeper than the forward lyrics suggest.
"Sowing Season (Yeah)" is also amazing, and Im a fan of "Not the Sun" as well.

Their new single, "Fork and Knife" is really good, and a little less 'emo' than The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me.

"the second instrumental, "Untitled," is completely unnecessary and -- here's where I'll say it -- should have been replaced by another of the demos/"Not the Sun" is not that great (save for the ace breakdown),"- I completely agree. I was not impressed at all with "Untitled" and Not In the Sun was my least favorite track, however after listening to it a few times it wasn't as whiny as I thought it was.

My favorite track was a tie between "Archers" and "Luca". At first I was very into "Milestone" and "You Won't Know", but the musicality of Archers won me over. I absolutely loved the drums in that song and I think they were almost better then the vocals. In Luca my favorite part was the end. Brand New always seems to end most of their songs with a verse that doesn't really match the rest of the song, but it normally is very good.

All in all I think this was their best attempt and [since I wasn't a HUGE fan of Deja] they defiantly got it together musically and lyrically.

Upon hearing "The Sowing Season (Yeah)", my hopes were up quite a lot, but there's always been one thing about Brand New that bugs me, I mean most punk bands do their fast paced stuff and a slow song as a bonus, but Brand New seem to be the other way round and it can get quite tedious with all this slow, quiet acoustic stuff around, but when Brand New do belt out a heavy punk song, it can usually be worth the wait.

Anonymous (November 30, 2006)

For all of you BN hater's who ask the question "why won't this band die" You call yourselves punk's? Punk in our generation is extremely distorted.. Punk is nevermore, sad i know, but if your liking any of these bands that are calling themselves punk you are highly mistaken and maybe should buy some Rage against the Machine.. i hate to say it myself but their is no more punk and i dont think it can ever be revived, its been way to distorted. -

Back to brand new sorry to get off topic. Brand new started off with a pop-punk genre; they were kids, and for being pop punk they were the best pop-punk for their time by far. Even though they had the sketchy telephone lyrics.

Deja Entnedu was a dissapointment at first; Brand new was the only pop punk I listened to and god forbid i wanted to hear another pop punk CD by them again cuz they were the only ones that were good at it.. when i first got Deja Entendu I gave it a few spins and never listened to it again for about 4 months.. Gave it another try and listened to it more and more, and to this day its my favorite CD and i wish it still was; but im pissed because TDGARIM is growing on me i find this CD absolutely phenomonal

This sound by Brand New is not what I expected but "expected" and "Brand New" are oxy-morons in the same sentence.

Brand New without a doubt is EMO but that is exactly what they are They are EMO, the originallity of EMO, The God father's of EMO, not quite, Theyv'e got a progressive style of music that differ's from any band that I have ever heard. I would like to say more but i gotta go to do somethin with my life and go to physics...

is it just me or does jesus christ kind of sound modest mousey? i love this album though

Anonymous (November 26, 2006)

"Also worht mentioning is how much they're aiming for a Saddle Creek sound on this album. It sounds like Bright Eyes and Cursive in so many parts."

BN outdoes bright eyes by far on this album. The lyrics are actually thought-provoking instead of whiny pissy ramblings, and jesse's voice is superior in so many ways. Not only, but BN isn't afraid of completely rocking out ("You Won't Know, Degausser").

I couldn't really compare this to Cursive, I love both bands. I think musically, BN probably has the upperhand, but...Cursive has that mystique, that well, makes them Cursive, and it's not something that's very comparable. However, Cursive's new album was pretty dissapointing, and doesn't hold a candle to this.

Anonymous (November 26, 2006)

coca-cola was the b-side on the sowing season single. it was called "alco-acoc"

"based on one listen it seems a bit unfocused and too many of hte songs seem to overstay their welcome...but the first 3 songs are outstanding, 'jesus christ' especially, probably my fav on the album, after one listen.

I won't grade it yet on the star scale, if I did that to 'entendu' it would have been a 7/10, after 6 months it turned into a 10/10, so I'll get back to you after listen number 20 with my final opinion on that. after one listen, its my least favorite brand new album, but still quite solid, with some very unique moments, musically and lyrically. brilliant at times really, yet another evolution of their sound, but not quite as drastic as the 'your favorite weopen'-'deja entendu' sound jump.

thats it for now"

I have never agreed more with a statement in my life. After 6 or 8 spins I am still wondering if this album is going to grab me the way the first two did. It's a solid listen, entertaining - no doubt, but just not what I was hoping for.

Anonymous (November 24, 2006)

I haven't stopped listening to it. I just can't stop. And I agree, "Untitled" sounds really ackward and "Coca-Cola" would have been a much better song... but it doesn't kill the album at all. I hate to sound like the fan boy I am but, this band has never failed to make amazing music, and this is clear proof that they won't any time soon.

good album.. a nice progression from Deja...... which is where i first started taking notice of the band. though the production does seem kinda off as Lacey's vocals are unintelligible part of the time.

Also worht mentioning is how much they're aiming for a Saddle Creek sound on this album. It sounds like Bright Eyes and Cursive in so many parts.

bright eyes I don't see, but cursive I certainly do. less abrasive and dissonant than cursive's strings and horns tend to get, though.

Anonymous (November 23, 2006)

ummm all the songs have the same format and sound the same. Just as they have on all their albums. How long have these guys been around? Isnt it time for a little change?

have you ever even heard a brand new album? I could see little similarities on Your Favorite Weapon, but Deja Entendu...well. That's a no brainer. None of those songs sound similar, at all. Especially seeing as half of them were acoustic. and they have stellar changes in their music between each album.

this album makes me sad. not just cause it's so fucking depressing, but also because i know what it could have been.

as far as lyrics are concerned though, this is probably their best.

still... bah.

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

jamie lee curtis is a hermaphodite.. i would know. i banged her, then she returned the favor.

word.

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

this is a monster of a record. nice job writing music that's light years from "jude law".

"remedy" by The Game is an instant classic. he's dead fucking serious.

kramer isn't remotely funny or amusing. no mike, it isn't ok for white people who use the N word...EVER. especially when addressing black people who you do not know during a less-than-stellar stand up performace in los angeles...

Admittedly, I haven't spent enough time with this album as may be required to fully enjoy it, but thus far in my 2-3 trips through the album, the majority of it has failed to grab me. All of the songs seems a little too similar and alot too drawn out.

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

I thought this boring when I first heard it. I think the first 5 tracks are really strong and then it gets pretty dull, despite the final track. If 6-9 were as solid as the rest of the material this disc might really be something. Nice to see these guys doing what they want, not the usual shit they could have stuck with when they were doing the pop/punk thing (which they were good at anyways).

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

p.p.s. they really should have included Coca Cola over handcuffs, or not the sun, or just threw it in anyway. that song is way too good not to be on here, and I agree, not the sun and handcuffs are kinda meh.

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

p.s. for people that like their old sound, listen to You Won't Know

ahh that song rips so hard

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

this cd is so fucking good

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

haven't heard the album - and won't. but teh cover artwork is rad.
-JIVES

I liked this album way, WAY more than I thought I was going to. there aren't too many songs that absolutely blew me away, but those that did REALLY did. Jesus Christ and Degausser in particular. I've got a lot of respect for Brand New; they've made three very distinct, very progressive albums instead of making the same album three times in a row (like their contemporaries, Taking Back Sunday decided to do).

ummm all the songs have the same format and sound the same. Just as they have on all their albums. How long have these guys been around? Isnt it time for a little change?

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

very odd album, from the lyrics to the sounds...but i love every part of it.

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

"I never heard any track from Brand New but "The quiet things no one ever knows" I think this is the best band of the world.
When i heard to first this song I'd feel an unbelivible thing."

What the shit.

Go here (Dictionary.com), stick around for a few days, maybe try conversations in or around your home (don't stray too far), then come back here. Wait...are you foreign?

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

I never used to like Brand New, and I think this record is pretty good. It's weird how they went from generic punk-emo (or whatever you'd want to call it) on their first album and have now ended up at this.

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

I never heard any track from Brand New but "The quiet things no one ever knows" I think this is the best band of the world.
When i heard to first this song I'd feel an unbelivible thing.

Anonymous (November 22, 2006)

DeprEcation.

Anonymous (November 21, 2006)

I haven't heard a single song from this album but based on the fact that you found much of deja entendu amazing I'll just assume I should pass. Brand New is another bareable but easily discarded pop/punk/whatever band that the kiddies will wax poetic about until they turn 17, and then completely forget. That's what I did at least.

Benz, this albums is not mostly acoustic, and it contains most of Brand New's heaviest songs.

But yeah, this album is fucking ace. I give it a 10 cause i cant give a 9.5.

Anonymous (November 21, 2006)

based on one listen it seems a bit unfocused and too many of hte songs seem to overstay their welcome...but the first 3 songs are outstanding, 'jesus christ' especially, probably my fav on the album, after one listen.

I won't grade it yet on the star scale, if I did that to 'entendu' it would have been a 7/10, after 6 months it turned into a 10/10, so I'll get back to you after listen number 20 with my final opinion on that. after one listen, its my least favorite brand new album, but still quite solid, with some very unique moments, musically and lyrically. brilliant at times really, yet another evolution of their sound, but not quite as drastic as the 'your favorite weopen'-'deja entendu' sound jump.

thats it for now

paul

Anonymous (November 21, 2006)

" I'd say the strongest point of the record is guitarist Vin Arcadia's ability to take these total pop riffs and transform them to incredibly depressing echoes of faults, in the same way Jesse Lacey has taken his absolutely magnificent voice and uses it to do nothing but depress you."

Really good review. I completely agree with the listening of this album through headphones. First time i chucked it on, i was really, really disappointed. I gave it a bit of a chance considering how long i've waited for it, and you start picking up on those little things that make this album whole.

I don't know what it is about instrumentals, but they always seem to shit me, so thats my biggest complaint about this album. But a good effort none the less.

I listened to what they had on myspace (their full album stream). I wasn't really impressed at all. Most of the songs sound very similar and overall the whole thing is just boring, flat out.

I liked their past two releases, but this one seems like a band aching to sound "mature", but instead come off as sounding like AM radio lite. There are definetly moments, especially the second to last I think, with the tape loop repeating.

I know the argument against me will be that I think it's boring because it's almost entirely acoustic and low to mid tempo. This, however, is hot true, as some of my favorite albums follow that format (I have a review posted here: http://www.punknews.org/review/4368).

The problem is that there is extremely little variety and the lyrics oftentimes come off as much more melodramatic than even what I think the band had planned. Maybe I need to listen to it more, but I'm afraid I'll just fall asleep.

Another biased review, I don't know what to think when you're a funboy for this band and a hater of MCR. Where's the objectivity? Both bands can have similar pop-bandwagon jumping criticisms thrown at them.

Another biased review, I don't know what to think when you're a funboy for this band and a hater of MCR. Where's the objectivity? Both bands can have similar pop-bandwagon jumping criticisms thrown at them.

for who started out as an average, very wet behind the ears band of limited range beyond the youth it was directed to (and what band at the start isn't), I found the 2nd album a suprise. It's a keeper. Hell, I even bought it with physical cash money.

So I'm going to give this a spin.

I don't think its fair to blame some 'punk mentality' for some people disliking the 2nd album. I certainly thought it had to have been a different band than the 1st record, and lets be honest, no one likes the other side of the coin, where people are proclaiming the 2nd album to be some stroke of music and lyric "genius".

If there is any one quality that endeared me to brand new since that 2nd record its been their keen awareness not to take the "genius", fawning aspect of music fandom seriously, and actually critique it.

So hopefully, this record will do the only thing music really can do - a spot of reprieve, then back to life.

True. But I, myself, am not a fanboy, and I think Colin's pretty close to truth in what he says, save for some added enthusiasm that comes from being a huge fan.
My one sentence assessment is this: The album isn't very catchy, but it's about as good as an album can be without being catchy. Whenever I listen to it, I don't find myself getting bored at all. I'm totally immersed in it. All the songs are a bit samey, but it's definitely their best album. I've never really liked them before this, save for "Jude Law And A Semester Abroad".

Anonymous (November 21, 2006)

Is the song Jesus Christ really about Jesus Christ? Is the singer religious?

Nice Review. I agree with most of the things you said except your love for "Luca" maybe it hasnt clicked with me yet. Then again "Sic Transit Gloria" was my least favourite song on Deja for a long time before so there is hope.

I agree with most of this review. I know you don't like "Not the Sun" very much, but I like it quite a bit. "Untitled" is kind of unnecessary, but I don't think it takes away from the album that much. I should also mention that I never heard the demos, so I don't have a song that I wish had made it on.

I'd also like to say that before this album, I was a casual Brand New fan at best, but I fucking love this record.

To the guy below, yeah, you're right. We all hate Jawbreaker and love Social D.

You're a regular here, aren't you?

Anonymous (November 21, 2006)

it fucking blows my mind that some of you oioioi punk assholes can't admit how lyrically and musically mindblowing deja entendu is. along with dear you and clarity, i consider it one of the most complete records of the last decade. it has few flaws; and they are minor.

i have held out on listening to this cd, and i have never been more excited about purchasing a cd in my life.

but to all the ignorant punx!11111 on here, you're missing out on some really fantastic music, simply because it's not social d.

and that's sad.

Anonymous (November 21, 2006)

i freaking love it.

if you dont like it, you dont get it, so drop it and calm down. everyone isnt supposed to like the same music - that wouldnt be very much fun now would it?

Totall agree with the review. This album has such good parts that when you stumble on the rare "bad" moments it ticks you off and makes it that much worse. The production is stellar, you have to listen to it with headphones on to really appreciate it. yeah really fantastic album put not perfect 8/10.

I've only listened to the few songs that originally leaked because I didn't want to spoil it for myself. Your review keeps me excited but I have to disagree with your Deja assesment that album is amazing.

this album is fucking incredible. yes, it's not perfect...but perfection is rare. and to the loser who asked why this band won't die..it's pretty obvious...they still are able to make an amazing album..even if you don't like it.